GLAAD - Eye on the Mediahttp://www.glaad.org/tags/eye-media
enEye On the Media: Facts About So-Called 'Ex-Gay' Therapyhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/eye-media-facts-about-so-called-ex-gay-therapy
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Recent developments concerning so-called “ex-gay” programs will likely capture media attention. When reporting on this issue, it is absolutely critical that journalists provide audiences with the proper context for this discussion.</p>
<p>This is not a topic where the health and welfare community is divided. This is not an issue on which experts disagree. This is not an ongoing debate, and should never be framed as such. Every single mainstream medical organization in the nation has denounced the idea of healthcare professionals attempting to “change” a person’s sexual orientation, and these methods are only practiced by a handful of organizations and individuals scattered around the country, all of which exist solely outside the world of modern, mainstream healthcare.</p>
<p>Background:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/30/jerry-brown-sb-1172-gay-conversion-therapy-california_n_1926855.html">California lawmakers recently passed SB 1172</a>, which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown and goes into effect on January 1<sup>st</sup>. The bill prohibits state-licensed therapists from engaging in so-called "reparative therapy" with minors. Governor Brown said "This bill bans non-scientific 'therapies' that have driven young people to depression and suicide. These practices have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery."<br /> </li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-files-groundbreaking-lawsuit-accusing-conversion-therapy-organization-of-frau">Southern Poverty Law Center</a> has joined with a group of orthodox Jewish men and their families in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/us/gay-conversion-therapy-faces-tests-in-courts.html?_r=0">filing a consumer fraud lawsuit</a> against JONAH – Jews Offering New Alternatives to Healing – a New Jersey group which actively uses so-called “reparative therapy” to change sexual orientation. The lawsuit reveals the brutal and disturbing techniques used by the organization that put the plaintiffs at risk of “depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior.” In the suit, the four men who survived JONAH’s therapy sessions <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/27/gay-orthodox-jews-sue-over-therapy-which-claims-to-cure-them.html">detail what went on behind the scenes</a>, recounting the wide-range of techniques that were used, some of which included group therapy sessions in various states of undress, visits to bath houses, “touch therapy,” violence against maternal effigies, and verbal disparagement. <br /> </li>
<li>In response to tragic examples of the harmful psychological abuse inflicted on young people through dangerous sexual orientation conversion practices, also known as reparative therapy to convert or “repair” an individual’s sexual orientation, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced the <a href="http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/anti-ex-gay-therapy-resolution-will-be-introduced-into-the-u-s-house-by-rep-jackie-speier?directory=100011">Stop Harming Our Kids</a> (SHOK) resolution on Wednesday. Joined at a press conference by advocacy leaders and survivors of psychological abuse from sexual orientation change practices, Representative Speier discussed the bill, as well as her efforts to investigate whether taxpayer funds have been used to reimburse therapists for this discredited and ineffective practice through the federal Medicaid or TRICARE healthcare programs.</li>
</ul><p>Often, when covering stories of “ex-gay” programs, reporters are tempted to strive for “balance” – but this is no longer the correct tone to take on this issue. Anything that implies to an audience that the practice of such programs is an ongoing debate among medical and mental health professionals is journalistically irresponsible, and can actually cause harm.</p>
<p>So-called “ex-gay” programs have been thoroughly condemned by The <a href="http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/resolution97.html">American Psychiatric Association</a>; The <a href="http://www.apa.org/about/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx">American Psychological Association</a>; The <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/amawire/2012-may-30/2012-may-30-glbt.shtml">American Medical Association</a>; The <a href="https://www.counseling.org/PressRoom/NewsReleases.aspx?AGuid=b68aba97-2f08-40c2-a400-0630765f72f4">American Counseling Association</a>; The <a href="http://www.clgs.org/official-statement-concerning-homosexuality-american-academy-pediatrics">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>; and The <a href="http://www.naswdc.org/diversity/lgb/reparative.asp">National Association of Social Workers</a>. The nation’s most knowledgeable medical and mental health authorities have uniformly dismissed the idea that being gay is something that needs to be “treated,” and recognize that trying to do so can cause serious harm.</p>
<p>The practice of reparative therapy has been widely repudiated by officials in the health community, with the <a href="http://new.paho.org/sur/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=414&amp;Itemid=400">World Health Organization in May</a> declaring the practice “a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people” and that it “lacked medical justification.” In September, California became the first state in the country to ban reparative therapy for minors, with Gov. Jerry Brown declaring that such therapies “have no basis in science or medicine, and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery.”</p>
<p>GLAAD has released a <a href="http://www.glaad.org/releases/07122011eyeonthemedia">Resource Guide for journalists</a> and those in the media who are covering stories about “ex-gay” therapy and conversion methods, which includes the full statements from each of the groups that have denounced the idea of a healthcare professional trying to “repair” an individual’s sexual orientation. Even though they have been rejected and discredited by every mainstream healthcare organization, these programs are still widely accessible to individuals questioning their sexual orientation, or – outside of California – parents who take issue with the sexual orientation of their children. It is imperative that the media report on this issue responsibly.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 28, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
</ul>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/eye-media">Eye on the Media</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ex-gay">Ex-Gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/jonah">JONAH</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sb-1172">SB 1172</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/jackie-speier">Jackie Speier</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:14:34 +0000rossmurray60427 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/eye-media-facts-about-so-called-ex-gay-therapy#commentsWhen Candidates Attack, the Media Must Reporthttp://www.glaad.org/2010/09/09/when-candidates-attack-the-media-must-report
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/voting-booth.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-25602" title="voting booth" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/voting-booth-300x163.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="163" /></a>Just because there are no marriage or adoption issues on the ballot this year, that doesn't mean our community isn't being used as a political wedge issue. Plenty of candidates in 2010 have trotted out the strategy of using the lives of LGBT people to divide and distract voters. When candidates use this ugly tactic, we think the voters have a right to see it for what it is - and we think the media has a responsibility to drag it out of the shadows. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/releases/090910eyeonthemedia" target="_blank">That's why we issued an Eye on the Media today.</a></p>
<p>Just a few examples of the defamation coming out of this campaign season so far:</p>
<ul><li>Michigan Republican Kim Meltzer sent out campaign materials that depicted primary opponent Leon Drolet’s face superimposed over a rainbow flag, included two male figures holding hands, and claimed that Drolet <a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/24460462/detail.html?qt " target="_blank">“would allow homosexual gross indecency in public places,” “exposing our children to that filth.”</a></li>
<li>Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern defended her previous statement that gays and lesbians are more dangerous than terrorists, telling local TV, <a href="http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/features/you-decide/videos/vid_14.shtml " target="_blank">“Here in America we’ve had what, maybe three known real big terrorist attacks on our nation? But every day our young people especially - all of us, but our young people especially - are in a sense bombarded with the message that homosexuality is normal and natural.”</a></li>
<li>Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is running for re-election, told an audience, “There is still a land of opportunity, friends — it’s called Texas. We’re creating more jobs than any other state in the nation.” He then asked, <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2010-texas-governors-race/on-the-campaign-trail-with-gov-rick-perry/ " target="_blank">“Would you rather live in a state like this, or in a state where a man can marry a man?”</a></li>
<li>Iowa Republican Jeremy Walters, a candidate for the State House, wrote on his Facebook page that to be gay “is not of God,” quoted Bible verses that said gay people should be <a href="http://iowaindependent.com/41413/gop-house-candidate-says-aids-is-punishment-for-sin-of-homosexuality " target="_blank">“put to death; their blood shall be upon them,” </a>and suggested that AIDS was God’s punishment.</li>
</ul><p>Our issues don't need to be on the ballot for our lives to be impacted by an election. The rhetoric used by candidates -- people who are usually well-respected members of their community -- can set the tone for how that community feels about LGBT people. But we can walk away winners if the media shines a light on this cynical and destructive tactic, and gives the American people the chance to reject it outright.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">September 9, 2010</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/elections">Elections</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/eye-media">Eye on the Media</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/governor-rick-perry">Governor Rick Perry</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/jeremy-walters">Jeremy Walters</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kim-meltzer">Kim Meltzer</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/sally-kern">Sally Kern</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:18:37 +0000aaronmcquade33219 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2010/09/09/when-candidates-attack-the-media-must-report#commentsGLAAD's Eye on the Media Urges News Outlets to Ignore Bill Donohue's Latest Anti-Gay Attackshttp://www.glaad.org/2010/04/01/glaads-eye-on-the-media-urges-news-outlets-to-ignore-bill-donohues-latest-anti-gay-attacks
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Yesterday GLAAD issued an <a href="http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1373" target="_blank">Eye on the Media</a> urging journalists to ignore desperate attempts by anti-gay activist Bill Donohue to distract attention from the latest revelations in the deepening abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.</p>
<p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Donohue.png"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-19689" title="Donohue" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Donohue-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" /></a>Donohue, who has a long history of outrageous and defamatory attacks on gay people in his capacity as head of the New York-based Catholic League, recently renewed those attacks following media coverage of developments in the U.S. and Europe — coverage that turned a spotlight on new revelations about the reassignment of abusive priests. Donohue’s anti-gay attacks were featured in an advertisement Donohue placed in <em>The New York Times</em> earlier this week.</p>
<p>As I noted in our release, it’s telling that when media start taking a closer look at the recent revelations in the abuse crisis, Donohue instantly tries to change the subject by blaming the media and casting gay people as sexual predators. But Americans are getting sick of this ugly, vicious scapegoating and Donohue is feeding a hostile climate that gay people continue to face in this country. It’s wrong, it’s unacceptable, and no credible media outlet should be providing a platform for these kinds of attacks.</p>
<div style="width: 310px;float:left;"><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Donohue-Larry-King.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-19694" title="Donohue Larry King" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Donohue-Larry-King-300x185.png" alt="" width="300" height="185" /></a>
<p>Donohue on CNN's Larry King Live Program</p>
</div>
<p>Prior to our action two CNN programs unfortunately allowed Donohue a platform to promote his vitriolic rhetoric. Earlier this week CNN's Larry King Live offered him a forum and yesterday, CNN's Rick Sanchez invited Donohue onto his show. The <a href="http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1003/30/lkl.01.html " target="_blank">Larry King segment</a> featured several other voices including singer, Sinead O'Connor, and former CNN anchor and current CBS correspondent, Thomas Roberts. Roberts is a survivor of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest and he strongly challenged Donohue's attempts to link gay people to sex abuse by Catholic clergy.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/03/31/ricks.donahue.gay.priests.cnn?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">Rick Sanchez's segment </a> veered into sensationalism by highlighting one of Donohue's defamatory quotes in bold letters on the screen. It read: "A Homosexual Crisis?" Sanchez also repeated Donohue's defamatory assertions numerous times in his attempt to "cover" the topic. While the segment did feature another guest, Michael Bayly of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, who questioned Donohue's claims, Bayly was drown out by Donohue's loud and outrageous comments.</p>
<p>GLAAD has sent our Eye on the Media not only to these programs at CNN, but to all mainstream media outlets. We continue to urge news organizations that are considering whether to elevate Donohue’s rhetoric to dig below the surface of his latest attack.</p>
<p>GLAAD also urges you to contact CNN's Rick Sanchez <a href="http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/29/you-call-this-being-a-christian-warrior/#addcomment" target="_blank">here</a> and voice serious concerns about the platform his show afforded Donohue to assert his defamatory claims. We have spoken to his producers and made it clear that this type of coverage will not go unchallenged.</p>
<p>Prior examples of Donohue’s anti-gay rhetoric can be accessed at<br /><a href="http://www.glaad.org/donohuequotations">http://www.glaad.org/donohuequotations</a></p>
<p>If you see problematic content related to this topic on future broadcasts please contact our national news team at <a href="mailto:nationalnews@glaad.org">nationalnews@glaad.org</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 1, 2010</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/anti-gay">anti-gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bill-donohue">Bill Donohue</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cnn">CNN</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/eye-media">Eye on the Media</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/larry-king-live">Larry King Live</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/rick-sanchez">Rick Sanchez</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sinead-oconnor">Sinead O&#039;Connor</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/thomas-roberts">Thomas Roberts</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:17:54 +0000glaad32832 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2010/04/01/glaads-eye-on-the-media-urges-news-outlets-to-ignore-bill-donohues-latest-anti-gay-attacks#commentsEye on the Media - Post-Election LGBT & Prop 8 Coveragehttp://www.glaad.org/2008/11/17/eye-on-the-media-post-election-lgbt-prop-8-coverage
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>On Friday, GLAAD released a document entitled "<a href="http://www.glaad.org/2008/Eblasts/EyeOnMedia_Prop8.htm" target="_blank">Eye on the Media</a>" which looks at post-election media coverage of LGBT issues and California's proposition 8. From the document:</p>
<blockquote><p>Los Angeles, CA – The Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today provided recommendations to help media outlets provide fair, accurate and inclusive coverage of the aftermath of Prop 8 in California and the rallies being organized at the grassroots level throughout the United States.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>Since the Nov. 4 vote on anti-gay ballot measures in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas, GLAAD has been working with print and broadcast journalists in national, regional and local markets on their coverage of these ballot measures and local community responses. Following our conversations with journalists and community leaders, these recommendations are designed to address continuing misinformation about these issues and promote media coverage that is fair, accurate and inclusive.</p></blockquote>
<p>You can read all about the various misinformation and the recommendations to journalist by <a href="http://www.glaad.org/2008/Eblasts/EyeOnMedia_Prop8.htm" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. Make sure to share with your friends and family!<br /></p><div align="left">
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 17, 2008</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/2008-presidential-election">2008 Presidential Election</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/eye-media">Eye on the Media</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/proposition-8">Proposition 8</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:14:57 +0000Justin31326 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2008/11/17/eye-on-the-media-post-election-lgbt-prop-8-coverage#comments